DAILY HOMILIES #disappointment

Regardless of how wealthy a person may be, their wealth means nothing to them as long as they lack contentment. The true definition of poverty is not how little one has but one’s degree of contentment. You are rich as long as you are content with what you have and can count your blessings.

Unlike the fig tree, Jesus did not curse the temple; instead, he restored its original purpose by driving out those buying, selling, and scattering their tables. If we must bear fruits, we must constantly look inwards and cleanse ourselves of those things within us that God hates. At the end of each day, take some moments to examine your conscience and find out if there are things to be thrown away or built upon.

Faith is what will keep you going despite the failures you encounter along the way. Edison believed in his vision and even when he failed over and over again, he just wouldn’t stop. This is the kind of faith we need to have in God – a faith that continues to believe regardless of whatever failures or disappointments we encounter.

St. Paul beautifully summarizes all that we have said so far when he writes in our second reading: “Put off your old nature which is corrupt through deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit, put on the new nature created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24).